Heroin container: Ministry Secretary resigns
11 December 2013 01:11 pm
The Coordinating Secretary to the Minister of Buddha Sasana and Religious Affairs, who had allegedly intervened to release a heroin container from the Customs, had tendered his resignation to Prime Minister and the Minister of Buddha Sasana and Religious Affairs D.M. Jayaratne from December 9
However, in his letter Mr. Weerasinghe had stated that he had no connection whatsoever with the incident involving the importation of heroin or the releasing of a container with heroin from the Customs.
“…I wish to inform you clearly, that I have no connection whatsoever with the alleged incident levelled against me by the media during the past few weeks. I, as a Government servant, have discharged my duties for the benefit and welfare of the State,” Mr. Weerasinghe said in his resignation letter to Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratnae, who is also the Minister of Buddha Sasana and Religious Affairs.
Meanwhile, in a separate statement to the media dated December 11, Mr. Weerasinghe has admitted that he had sent a letter to the South Asia Gateway Terminals (Private) Limited, Colombo, asking a relief for a container that had been subjected to payment of late demurrage.
“Tharanga Wittachchi, a member of the Gampola Urban Council, informed me about a container at the Colombo Port containing sanitaryware and lubricating oil, reportedly imported by a group of businessmen. He (Wittachchi) said that those businessmen were paying late demurrage for two and a half months for the container and said that a further delay in release will result in the payment of a larger amount as demurrage than the value of the imported goods. Therefore I sent a letter upon his request asking for a relief. But the Prime Minister was not informed about the letter,” he said.
In the statement, Mr. Weerasinghe has further noted that he was fulfilling his duties and responsibilities as a true state worker and a citizen by resigning until the investigations into the incident were concluded.
The resignation letter
GA59 Industrial Area,
Ampara.
9th December 2013.
Hon. D.M Jayaratne,
Prime Minister and Minister of
Buddha Sasana & Religious Affairs.
Hon. Sir,
Resignation from the Post of Coordinating Secretary to the Hon. Minister of Buddha Sasana & Religious Affairs
Please accept my resignation from the Post of Coordinating Secretary to the Hon. Minister of Buddha Sasana and Religious Affairs with effect from 9th December 2013.
Furthermore, I wish to inform you clearly, that I have no connection whatsoever with the alleged incident levelled against me by the media during the past few weeks. I, as a Government servant, have discharged my duties for the benefit and welfare of the State.
I wish to state that I served in the above position with honour and respect and to the best of my know1edg and ability.
I thank you for your advice and assistance extended to me during the tenure of my service.
Thanking You,
Yours faithfully,
Keerthi Sri Weerasinghe.
